The Vice Minister of Public Works, Transport and Communication (MOPTC) Eng Inacio Moreira said the government intends to crack down on busses exceeding their passenger limits.
Vice Minister Moreira added that the national police ought to set up check points to monitor busses leaving terminals and check numbers of passenger, goods and whether these follow set limits or not to avoid accidents that will put passengers lives at risk.
“We need to control busses that exceed their passenger limits,” said Vice Minister Moreira at the National Parliament, in Dili.
He added that currently MOPTC is inspecting the bus terminals in Tasi-tolu, in Manleuana and in Becora in the capital Dili and once facilities are ready police officer will be stationed in these locations.
“We are preparing the conditions for the implementation of the regulations,” he said.
Member of Parliament Agustino Lay this is a good initiative but it is not just about the number of passengers; it is also about the condition of the busses.
“They should check the road worthiness to the busses. If they are not in good condition they need to be ordered to get fixed. Poor condition of the busses will also put passengers lives in jeopardy,” said MP Lay.
He added the police also needs to check the driver’s licenses and also the health condition of drivers because some despite being sleepy force themselves to drive.
MP Law said also so far the government has not controlled busses that travel to the municipalities and so drivers do whatever they want without considering the lives of passengers.
The MP highlighted the bus accident that took place in 2015 in Fatu-ahi in which nine people lost their lives and others suffered serious and light injuries. He said this accident ought not to have happened had there been more adequate control.
Resident Dulce Gonçalves said the government has to increase control over the busses because this is about protecting people’s lives.
“We have to address this situation,” she said.
